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Post by Everton News. on Jun 4, 2021 18:22:16 GMT
Yerry Mina headed home five minutes before half-time to set Colombia on the way to a crucial World Cup qualifying victory over Peru in the early hours of Friday morning.
The victory lifts Colombia into sixth position in South America's qualification standings ahead of a home meeting with second-placed Argentina on Wednesday.
Everton defender Mina stole in to nod past Peru goalkeeper Pedro Gallese after Juan Cuadrado's free-kick was only partially cleared by the home defence.
Colombia's grip strengthened when Peruvian left-back Miguel Trauco was shown a second yellow card in the final minute of the opening half.
And the visitors capitalised on their advantage soon after half-time. Mateus Uribe, the midfielder from Porto, netted on 49 minutes and clubmate Luis Diaz added a third six minutes later.
Colombia lost right-back Daniel Munoz, on as a substitute, to a 60th-minute red card but comfortably managed the game's closing half hour.
It was a precious victory for Colombia after defeats by Uruguay and Ecuador left Qatar 2022 hopes dangling by a thread.
They are one position outside a play-off place in the 18-match round-robin qualification process, with the top four finishers automatically reaching next year's tournament in the Middle East.
Mina, whose national team begin their Copa America campaign against Ecuador in Brazil on Monday 14 June, has 27 Colombia caps and seven goals.
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Jun 5, 2021 11:47:50 GMT
Richarlison scored his ninth senior international goal as Brazil beat Ecuador 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier on Friday night.
The Everton attacker's powerful 65th-minute drive set the five-time world champions on their way to victory in Porto Alegre.
Neymar's stoppage-time penalty then ensured Brazil kept up their 100-per-cent World Cup qualifying record.
The Selecao have won all five of their matches and sit top of the South American qualifying table, four points ahead of Argentina.
Richarlison's effort sustains his excellent record at senior international level, with his nine goals coming in just 24 appearances for Brazil.
Brazil return to qualifying action on Tuesday when they take on Paraguay [kick-off 1.30am, Wednesday BST] before commencing their Copa America campaign on Sunday 13 June against Venezuela.
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Post by rugbytoffee on Jun 6, 2021 11:24:18 GMT
Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman will not feature in the Republic of Ireland's friendly with Hungary on Tuesday night.
The Ireland skipper has been struggling with a hamstring injury since joining up with the international squad last week.
After further assessment this week, medics deemed that Coleman would not have recovered in time for the fixture.
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Post by Everton News. on Jun 14, 2021 8:16:10 GMT
PICKFORD CLAIMS SHUTOUT AS ENGLAND MAKE WINNING START
Jordan Pickford recorded his 15th international clean sheet as England made a winning start to a European Championship finals for the first time.
Raheem Sterling strode onto a pass from Kalvin Phillips to score the only goal of the game against Croatia at Wembley.
Goalkeeper Pickford's Everton colleague Dominic Calvert-Lewin came off the bench during stoppage time to claim a 10th England cap, only eight months after the striker's senior national team debut.
Gareth Southgate's side began quickly, Phil Foden smacking the upright with a low shot and Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovic repelling Phillips' volleyed drive through a crowded penalty box.
Croatia steadily gained a foothold without threatening Pickford's goal, a skied effort from Ivan Perisic all the away team offered on an attacking front in the opening half.
England grabbed the decisive goal when the excellent Phillips from Leeds United skipped past two Croatian challenges and fed a pass into Sterling's penalty-box run.
The Manchester City forward opted for power over placement and his strike was too hot for Dinamo Zagreb player Livakovic, who got a hand to the ball on its way into the net.
Pickford, who used the ball very well, was barely troubled. He was alert to tidy up after Kieran Trippier undercooked a back header and saved comfortably when Perisic skimmed a shot from 20 yards.
Former Everton player Nikola Vlasic tried to pick out fellow substitute Bruno Petkovic with a header in the penalty area late in the game but Pickford, who was making a 32nd England appearance, scurried across to intervene.
England had opportunities to double their advantage, not least when Sterling miscued from a promising position. Mason Mount clipped the top of the net with a free-kick from 22 yards.
Manager Southgate was canny with his use of substitutes to close out the game and Calvert-Lewin was third man on when he replaced Sterling for the final three minutes.
Scotland meet Czech Republic at Hampden Park on Monday in Group D's second fixture.
England return to action when the Scots visit Wembley on Friday and finish their group campaign at the national stadium against Czech Republic on Tuesday 22 June.
Everton FC
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Post by Everton News. on Jun 14, 2021 8:17:14 GMT
RICHARLISON AND MINA OFF TO WINNING STARTS IN COPA AMERICA
Richarlison and Yerry Mina both enjoyed winning starts in the 2021 Copa America on Sunday night.
Everton forward Richarlison started and played for 65 minutes as hosts Brazil eased past Venezuela 3-0, while Blues defender Mina featured for the full match in Colombia's 1-0 victory over Ecuador.
Richarlison had a first-half goal disallowed for offside for Brazil when the defending champions were already one goal ahead in Brasilia courtesy of a 23rd-minute opener from Paris Saint-Germain defender Marquinhos.
His clubmate Neymar doubled the advantage from the penalty spot just after the hour mark and, when Richarlison had been replaced by Barbosa Almeida, the substitute slotted home a late third after being set up by Neymar.
Meanwhile, Mina started in central defence as Colombia got their campaign under way with a 1-0 victory against Ecuador, the winning goal coming from a superbly-executed set piece on 42 minutes that was started and finished by Boca Juniors midfielder Edwin Cardona.
Brazil and Colombia are in Group B of the Copa America alongside Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru, with the top two nations qualifying for the semi-finals.
Colombia are back in action on Thursday against Venezuela (10pm BST), with Brazil facing Peru on Friday (1am BST).
The 47th edition of the Copa America - delayed a year because of the coronavirus outbreak - is taking place in Brazil, having been initially due to take place in Colombia and Argentina.
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